Mike Mitchell

I was born in Iowa, the oldest of three siblings. They are smarter, more compassionate, and better looking than me. Our family moved to Southern California when I was nine where I became an Angels baseball fan. I worked on my grandfather’s farm in Iowa every summer until I turned 16. I ran cross country and track in high school and worked at Disneyland my last years of high school. I had wanted to fly since I was three and decided I wanted to go the U.S. Air Force Academy to achieve that dream.

I earned my undergraduate degree in International Affairs from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Science in Systems Management from the from the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California, a Master of Arts in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in International Business from the International School of Management, Paris, France. A former career Air Force officer and command pilot, I have had a second career in business, academics, and as a writer. My career has spanned the globe—72 countries and counting, where I have had growing opportunities to work with leaders of nations and captains of industry. I have served as the CEO of several companies, a leader of an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the United States two years in a row, a Director of both for profit and non-profit enterprise boards, and as a university professor. I am the author of five books and numerous academic and commercial publications. I am the father of 6 children and grandfather of 7. My wife Vicky and I presently live in the foothills of the California Sierras in the United States.